Eatery Owner Pledges To Share

A Restaurateur In A Parking Garage Says He'll Give To Community Groups.

November 16, 1993|By Dan Tracy of The Sentinel Staff

A would-be restaurateur, stung by criticism that Orlando tax dollars will be used to support his business, vowed Monday to give $20,000 a year to nonprofit organizations.

The money would come from profits of Pinkie Lee's, a combination jazz club and African-American eatery that could open by New Year's Eve in a city-owned parking garage near the Orlando Arena.

''We want to give back to the community,'' said Pinkie Lee's owner Kevin Clayton. ''We don't just see this thing as us making money and riding off into the sunset.''

His comments came after the Orlando City Council voted 7-0 to lease 7,000 square feet in what is known as Centroplex Garage No. 2 to Pinkie Lee's for 10 years.

As part of the agreement, the city will spend almost $290,000 installing electric wiring, heating and air conditioning and drywall in what essentially is a concrete and glass shell.

The city also will credit Clayton through reduced rent another $198,000 for improvements he makes such as carpeting and bathroom fixtures.

Clayton, in turn, will pay $12,000 annual rent the first two years, a figure that is supposed to climb as high as $34,470 by the year 2004.

The $9.3 million garage, opened in 1990, has been something of an embarrassment for the city. Two previous attempts by restaurateurs to lease the space ended unsuccessfully, in part because of a public outcry against spending tax dollars on a business venture.

Earlier this year, the city hired a consultant who told officials the garage is a bad, potentially money-losing restaurant site.

Very few people walk by the garage during the day, consultant David Manuchia said, and night events at the Arena and nearby Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre are held during prime dinner hours.

But Clayton contends a catering business run out of Pinkie Lee's, plus crowds from Orlando Magic basketball games, will make his restaurant a success. One of Clayton's investors is Magic player Anthony Bowie.

If the restaurant is as popular as Clayton envisions, he will set aside $20,000 a year in a trust fund likely run by him and city officials.

They will decide who gets the money. One possibility is investing in a city program that gives low-interest loans to small businesses owned by minorities.

Council Member Don Ammerman, who earlier this year voted against allowing Clayton to rent the garage space, said he likes the charitable concept.